Type-writer line-shift.



34411244 501 fi az/yZYB yr/ze fl-Hiczuua H.E.'BYRNE. TYPE WRITER LINE SHIFT.

APPLICATION FILED DEC 18 I915 Patented May30,1916.

nnn nn -n nn wi/tvwooeo Wi 04 v5,

HENRY 'E. BYRNE, OF TYLER, TEXAS.

TYPE-WRITER mnsnlrr.

Specification of LettersPatent. I P t ted May 30, 1916.

Application filed December 18, 1915. Serial No. 67,636.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HEr RY E. BYRNE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tyler, in the county of Smithand State-of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Type-l/Vriter Line-Shifts, of which the following is a specification.

, This invention relates to line shift attachments for typewriting machines and'it consists in the novel features hereinafter described and claimed.-

An object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the character indicated which when applied to the typewriter permits of'the use of the machine wherein a stenographic effect or principle is obtained.

By use of the attachment a system of shorthand writing may be had with a typewriter machine fully as, well as with a pen or pencil now generally used. By use of the present attachment the point of writing on the platen of the typewriter may be varied to a definite point so that the letters or characters will be produced on the paper at points above or below the regular line of writing. When any letter or character in the line of writing appears above or below the regular line of writing, it becomes a word or phrase sign, and the fact that it is above or below the line indicates positively that the letter or character is used as a word or phrase sign.

With these objects in view the attachment in the present instance comprises a lever pivotally connected with a lug which may be attached'to the frame of the typewriter, and which carries a key and also means for straddling the shift key of the typewriter and a roller engageable with the said shift key. A link is pivotally connected at one end with the lever and at its other end is pivotally connected with an ear which may be slidably connected with the frame of the machine. If desired or necessary a spring may be interposed between the ear and the lever and is under tension with a tendency to normally hold the free end of the lever toward the ear.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a detail sectional view of parts of a type writer showing the attachment applied and the parts in one position. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in another position. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a sample of the writing produced showing the relatypewriter.

position on the frame.

roller 6 is journaled between the bars 4 and .rests at its lower side; upon-the upper edge of the shift key lever.

A link 7 is pivotally connected at one end with the lever 2 at a point between the ends thereof and the said link at its other endis pivotally connected by means of a loop with an ear 8 connected with the frame of the The connection between the link 7 and the ear 8 is sufliciently loose to permit the link to have slight longitudinal movement without moving the ear. The ear 8 is provided with a slot 9 which loosely receives a screw 10 usually provided upon the frame of the typewriter, in a manner whereby the said ear may move with relation to the screw and the frame of the typewriting machine, but when the said screw is tight ened the said ear is secured at an adjusted A spring 11 is employed and one end of the spring is connected with the free end portion of the lever 2 and the other end of the said spring is connected with the ear 8. The spring 11 is under tension with a tendency to hold the free end portion of the lever 2 toward the ear 8 when the attachment is applied to a typewriting machine.

When the attachment is applied to a typewriter the parts are so arranged that the contact of the roller 6 with the upper edge of the shift key lever 5 normally holds the said key in a slightly depressed p0sition whereby the platen of the typewriting machine is held slightly above its normal position when the attachment is not used Therefore, when the small letters or characters are produced upon a sheet of paper placed upon the platen the said letters appear along a certain line. When it is desired that one or more of the letters should appear above the said line, the lever 2 is swung whereby the shift key 5 may assume its uppermost position and consequently the platen is lowered and the character or letter will appear at a point above the said line of writing. On the other hand when it is desired that the character or letter should appear slightly below the line the lever 2 is depressed at its free end whereby the shift lever 5 is swung in a downward direction and the platen of the typewriting machine is elevated so that the character or letter is produced upon the paper slightly below the line. The loop at the upper end of the link 7 limits the downward movement of the le ver 2 whereby the movement of the lever 5 is just sufficient to elevate the platen a proper distance.

The positions of the characters or letters with relation to the regular line of writing indicates certain characters or phrases in conformity with the rules applying to stenographic characters and hence it will be seen that by using an attachment of the character indicated, a typewriting machine may be transformed into a machine for taking stenographic notes or writing in accord with the rules and usages governing such writing 2 or notes.

WVhen the attachment is applied to a typewriter the parts are so arrangedthat the contact of the roller 6 with the upper edge of the shift key lever 5 when depressed, holds the platen of the typewriting machine slightly above its normal position, or slightly below its normal position, depending upon whether it is a typewriter similar to the Underwood that shifts the platen or whether it is similar to the L. C. Smith Bro. typewriter that shifts the type basket. hen the shift key is slightly depressed on a machine shifting the platen similar to the Underwood, the letters would print slightly below the regular line of writing, while on machines similar to the L. C. Smith Bro,

adapted to be attached to the typewriter, a

link connecting the ear with the lever and a spring connecting the lever with the ear.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY E. BYRNE.

Vitnesses:

W. M. ROBERTS, J. A. PIERCE.

German or? this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington. D. G. 

